Foreigners pip locals anew in Akyathlon

FRENCH National Clement Dumont broke the hearts of strong willed local runners anew by topping the 2013 Pilipinas Akyathlon after Kenyans stormed the race in its initial offering last year.

Dumont finished the grueling 35.4 out and back skyrunning event with a time of three hours, 58 minutes and 12 seconds which started at Barangay Tinongdan in Itogon, Benguet all the way up to the Mt. Ugo.

Baguio runners Dino Mantilez and Marcelo Bautista were second and third, respectively, with times of 4:02:26 and 4:05:58.

Joel Bengtay, who finished fourth, was actually the second runner to reach the summit of Mt. Ugo, which is 2,150 meters above sea level but suffered cramps and tripped on his way down as Mantilez and Bautista finally caught up with him.

"Ang iniisip ko kasi antayin ko si Dino para habulin namin yung French at pagtulungan namin kaso bigla akong natapilok kaya nung naabutan nila ako, pinauna ko na lang sila," said Bengtay whose efforts did not go to waste as he received P3,000 in cash prize from Senator Pia Cayetano for being the first Filipino to reach the summit.

Bautista, who was sixth on his way up the summit, made his bold move in the return as he raced against time to catch up with the early leaders.

"Pang-anim ako bago kami makarating ng summit. Hinabol ko na lang sila pati yung isang Malaysian na lalake kasi nakita ko medyo nahirapan sila," said Bautista who ruled eight ultra marathon events last year.

Women's defending champion Danny Binti Gongot of Malaysia retained her crown in the distaff side with a time of five hours, three minutes, and 40 seconds where she also topped last year's sky running event.

Another French national, Sabrina Dumont, who is the wife of the men's division champion Clement, settled for second with a time of five hours, 46 seconds and 49 seconds while Itogon's Gretchen Felipe finished third with a time of 5:47:25.

Felipe also suffered cramps along the way causing her to lose some time as Gongot and Dumont passed her by.

But her efforts were rewarded by Cayetano with a P3,000 cash prize for being the first Filipina to reach the summit during the race.